thiness has ever been rash enough to attempt its
ratification as a matter of history.

Tylor calls attention to the fact that in the religious symbolism of the
material and spiritual sun Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa discourse on
the "growing light and dwindling darkness that follow the nativity,"
and cites the instance of Leo the Great who, in a sermon, rebukes the
"pestiferous persuasion, that this solemn day is to be honored not for
the birth of Christ, but for the rising of the New Sun."

On the authority of this same prelate it is found that in the fifth
century, the faithful, before entering the Basilica of St. Peter, were
wont to turn and salute the shining orb of day.

The Roman winter solstice which was connected with the worship of
Mithra, and which was named the "Birthday of the Unconquered Om," was
adopted by the western churches some time during the fourth century.
From the west it passed to the eastern churches, where it finally became
"the solemn anniversary of the birth of Christ."

In Ireland the ceremonies attending the mid-winter festival were
formerly regarded as exceedingly important. A short time before the
approach of the winter solstice, voices were heard throughout the
island proclaiming: "The New Year is at hand! Gather the Mistletoe!"
The mistletoe wreaths which formed the principal decorations of Venus'
temple were at first proscribed by the Christian preachers, but, in
process of time they not only found their way into the sanctuary, but
were given a place over the altars, their final signification being
"good will to men."(135)

135) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 81.

Although the tokens of friendship which were distributed by the pagans
at the season of the mid-winter festival differed somewhat from those
which at the present time are exchanged among Christians at the same
season of the year, still, there can be no doubt that the Christmas
tree, loaded with gifts, is a remnant of that worship under which the
sun was recognized as the source whence all blessings flow. Down to a
late date, fire was a conspicuous element at the festival of the winter
solstice. As the yule-log blazed upon the hearth, our ancestors set
up huge stones and danced round them, thus worshipping the god of
fertility.

On the 20th and 21st of March the sun illumines exactly half the earth.
At this time the Day has conquered the Night. Light has dethroned
Darkness, a complete victory has been gained ove